Gareth Southgate says he has not decided if he wants the England job full-time

Interim England boss would want to know how long his contract would be if FA decide he is man to take over permanently after Scotland and Spain games

by peter lansley

4th November 2016, 12:57 pm

Updated: 4th November 2016, 9:05 pm

GARETH SOUTHGATE has not decided if he wants the England job full-time.

The interim England manager would want to know how long his contract would be if the FA decide he is the man to take over permanently after the forthcoming games with Scotland and Spain.

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Gareth Southgate says he is not sure if he wants the England job full time

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Southgate is enjoying the job more than he expected but wants to weigh up how much the spotlight affects his family and his health.

“The agreement was to take these four games, to keep some continuity, and then everybody has a chance to reflect and review how’s it gone,” Southgate, speaking exclusively with the Football Journalism degree class at the University of Derby this week, said.

PA:Press Association

Gareth Southgate has made big decisions so far such as dropping Wayne Rooney

“The FA [then] have a decision to make as to what they want to do. I think it’s a decision that needs a lot of thought, and also I think when you’re in the position I am in, you need to be clear of what is being asked.

“There is a big difference for example between being asked to take the team over the summer or to take the team for three years or take the team for a year and a half.

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“I don’t think it is as easy as saying, ‘Yes I would like the job’ and I would also like to see how it is affecting my family – and my health probably!”

Southgate, 46, is not assuming anything.

He does not believe he has got the job in the bag and actually thinks he’d have to go for interview before landing the right to succeed Sam Allardyce.

But he is well thought of with the FA top brass and has worked closely with Dan Ashworth, the technical director, over the past four years in reseeding the grassroots of he English national game.

PA:Press Association

Southgate's future will be decided after the forthcoming games against Spain and Scotland

After gaining four points from his first two games against Malta and Slovakia, Southgate is relaxed about the situation.

The Under-21s won the Toulon Tournament in June and Southgate is committed to developing English football over the longer term.

So taking charge until Euro 2020 would probably suit Southgate best to see if the current plans could bear fruit.

Martin Glenn, the chief executive, has already said that Southgate is “a credible candidate” regardless of the outcome of the World Cup qualifier on Friday and the friendly with Spain four nights later.

Southgate added: “Whatever happens after that I will have had an incredible life experience which will have made me a better manager, no question, and everybody will know more about [my] suitability for that role.

Reuters

Sam Allardyce lasted just one game in charge before the scandal which saw him quit

“So I think our guys are then going to want to interview people to see who the best candidates are and go through a process I’m sure.”

Southgate likes working with the senior players and wants to suss whether his management would benefit England.

He added: “Then I will have an idea of what I am able to do, what I’m able to affect, how that has been with the players, how that has been with the staff and how I feel myself really. All I can say is I have enjoyed the period up to now.”

> Gareth Southgate was speaking to students on the UK’s only Football Journalism degree course at the University of Derby.